LYliUliUS TETEIX. S w a in .
BI..WK (ii’.ousi:.
TICTUAG TETIUX. Mil., Faun. Suec., No. 2(>2.—Linn., Syst. Nat., vol. ¡., ].. 272, .«i>. 2.—Gould, Birds of Eur.. pi. 250.-Jard. & Scib., 111.
Oraith., pi. S3, 47.—Pall., Zoogr., vol. ii„ t. -52.—Gray, Gen. of llirds, vol. iii.—timcL, Syst. Nat., vol. i., p. 74S.—Lath.,' Ind.
Ornith., vol. ii„ p. 635.-(iravc.s, Brit. Ornith., vol. ii.-McGili, Brit. Birds, vol. i., p. 145.-Leach, Syst. Catal. Mam. & Binls,
Brit. Mus,, p. 27.—Fleiii., Brit. Anim., p. 43.—Naum., Y'og. Dcuts., vol. vi., p. 324, t, 1-57 (1833).—Jenyiis Man. Brit. Vert.
Anim., p. lijy,—Eyton., Catal. Brit, Birds, ¡i. 30.—Keys & Bias., M’irb. Eur., p. «4.—Bon., Geog. & Comp. List Birds, p. 44,
No, 290,—Brchm, Vog. Dent«, p. 510.—Selby, Brit. Oniith., pi. 58., p. 423.
COQ DE BKL-YEItE A Ql'EL'E FOL-UCIIl-E, Buff., Plan. Enlum., pi. 172, I7 3 .-Ib „ llist. Prov., vol. ii., p. 536.
CKOGALLl-S MINOR. Raii Syn., p. 53, A, 2— \Vill., p. 124, t. 31,-Briss., vol. i„ p. 186.-Albin„ vol. ii,. t. 34.
TETK.iS BERKHAN. Temm., Pig. c t Gall., vol. iii., p. 140.—Ib., Man. d'Ornitli., vol. L, p. 401 and 289 (1815).
GABEL SCHWANZEGES. Waldluiliii, Bechst. Naturg, Dent., vol. iii., ji. 1319.—Muyer, Tassclicuh, Dent., vol. I , p. 295.
TETKAO DEUBIANUS. Gould, Proe. Zool. Soc., p. 132. 1837.—Gray. Gen. of Birds, vol. iii.
BLACK GKOUSE. Penn., Arct. Zool., vol. ii., p. 314.—Will., p. 173, t. 31.—Lcwiiis Brit. Birds, t. 134.—Moiitg, Ornith. Dict. & Supp.—
Pult. Cat. Doi-set, p. Don., Brit. Binls, 4, t. 97.—Bewick’s Brit. Birds, vol. i., p. 29.S (1797).—Pemi., Brit. Zool., vol. ¡.,
p. 352, p i 40.—Morris, llist. Brit. Birds, vol. iii., p. 335, pi. 170.—Thomp., Nat. Hist, of Ireland, vol. ill, p. 34.
UKOGALLUS TETKIX. Kaup., Natur. Syst. )>, 180.
TETKAO J l ’NIPEKORUM. Brchm, Vog. Deuts., p. 309.
LYRURUS TETRIX. Swain, Fann. Bor. Amer.. p. 497.--Boii., Rev, Ornith. Enrop., p. 174.—tiray, Catal. Bird.s, Brit. Mas., p. 142
(1850).—Elliot, Proc. Acail. Nat, Seien. (I8C4),
This fine hinl is distributed geiicrnUy throughout the northern portions of Euro[ie and Asia, Imt decreases in miinbers a.s yon go
toward the south. Although it divells in the large forests, in places where the birch tree grows, and among the juniper bushes, yet it
prefers the moors ami plains. Its food consists of ants’ eggs, beetles, insects, and various kinds of horrics, nnd in winter tlic yonng
shoots of plants, to get a t which it scratches away tho snow from beneath tlic trees.
The male is a noble-looking biril, walks with a considerable strut, and lias a very iiiiie()cndent air: while the line steel blue of liis
plumage, with the scarlet rings arouiul his eyes, givo to him a very attractive nppearance. Tlic wings arc quite short, but its flight is
ra))id, and often well sustained. The Black Grouse is fond of the society of its own sjiccies, and generally they live together in small
flocks or faniilie-s; Ihe old males, however, ¡ircfer to remain aloof from Ihe rest, excejiting in the spring. They arc wild and qiiick-
siglitcd, and it is difficult to approach them iinobserveil.
Tho luiiring season coiiimoiices about April, and each m.alc nsnally lias a chosen piece of ground to which lie resorts every morning
to n.ssocintc with the hens, and also to ciigago in battle with some rival. At this time they arc exceedingly inigiiacious, aiul tlicir conflicts
arc fierce, and jiroloiiged until the weaker is liriveii away. Sometimes, not satisfied with gaining victories on Ids own territory over
all invaders, the black cock will make excursions into the domain.« of his ncighhois, to seek new conflicts with them.
To see them, a t this time, it is iieees.«ary to he a.«tir before the day has begun to dawn. At this early hour, the fluttering of wings
aiul the iiccnliar chuckle in the wooils notify ns that the black cock is about to seek his mate, and he soon alights in some open
ground. The hen gives notice of her presence by a loiv, nnecHaiii note, uttcrc 1 from her perch iu .«omc tree close by. The habits of
the male a t this particular time arc very curious nnd ceceiitrie; for sometimes five or six will meet together in the same trysting [ihiec,
and, wliile night holds her sway and the sun has not yet gilded the snowy peaks of the loftie.st momitains, they go d.aneiiig around
seemingly a charmed circle, nnd flutter about ns though holil hy some mystic siiell. As each new comer arrive,«, he utters a low cluck,
and joins in the curious aiities. These ,-omd dances are interrupted every moment by several of the hiixls ciigagiiigsiii a des¡icrate
struggle, during wliich they S[iring into the air and heat their wings rapiilly, littering quirk and angry clacks. In a work lately puli-
lishod by Mr. Charles Boner, entitled “ Forest Creatures,'’ is a very intere,«ting account of this siieeies during this [loriod, ns witnessed
by the author. I give the article in his own words;